Learn how to stay positive and lead effectively when everything feels uncertain. Discover what successful leaders can actually control and practical strategies for managing discomfort with the unknown.

I’ve been feeling really inspired to write more recently, so this newsletter will be going back to being weekly or bi-weekly based on what has been calling to me.

Last week, I got an email from a former mentee I recently coached through her grad school application process. She was writing to share the exciting news: she got in! 🎉

But at the end of her note, she added something that’s been on my mind ever since:

“Almost every morning I wake up to some bad news in the New York Times, like every day I have a punch right in the stomach. How do you keep positive in an environment that’s totally out of control?“

It’s such a human question, isn’t it?

While my focus is leadership, not global news cycles, this is something I think about a lot, because leading (and living) well requires navigating uncertainty with grace.

The Certainty Trap

I was listening to a business podcast recently, and the host made a point that really stuck with me: Most of us spend an enormous amount of time and energy trying to create certainty. We read just one more article. We analyze just one more scenario. We buy just one more course or program to make sure we’re prepared for every possible “what if.”

But here’s the hard truth: neither business, leadership, nor life can ever offer complete certainty. There will *always* be unknowns lurking around the corner.

So what if the goal wasn’t to eliminate uncertainty? What if the goal was to get really good at managing the discomfort of it?

That’s where our real power lies.

What’s Actually Yours to Control

We can’t control global headlines. We can’t control every business risk or leadership challenge that comes our way. But we can control some pretty important things:

What we focus on first thing in the morning. Hint: maybe don’t make “doomscrolling the news” your first cup of coffee. Before you open that paper or scroll those headlines, pause and ask yourself: Do I have the energetic bandwidth for this today? If the answer is no, there’s nothing wrong with waiting. That’s not ignorance, that’s listening to yourself. That’s sovereignty.

The routines and rituals that ground us. What helps you feel centered before you engage with the chaos? Maybe it’s meditation, maybe it’s journaling, maybe it’s a walk around the block. Find what works and protect it fiercely.

How we invest in our ability to respond, rather than react. That precious space between what happens and how we respond, that’s where leadership lives.

The trust we build in ourselves, that no matter what comes, we can handle it. We’ll figure it out. We always have.

The content we choose to consume. Instead of starting with breaking news, what if you began your day with something that nourishes rather than depletes you? Lately, I’ve been loving the Cal Newport podcast for his thoughts on lifestyle-centric planning and building a “deep life,” as well as his realistic, non-doom-and-gloom perspective on AI. I’ve also been listening to the Huberman Lab podcast for health insights or curling up with a good fantasy novel. These things nourish me, and give me something far more energizing to start my day with than the news.

The Practice of Sitting with Discomfort

As leaders, the more we practice sitting in the discomfort of the unknown without scrambling to fix it or control it all, the steadier we become, for ourselves and for the people who rely on us.

This isn’t about becoming 100% comfortable with uncertainty, that may never happen. It’s about becoming skilled at functioning effectively while uncomfortable. It’s about trusting that you can handle whatever comes next, even when you don’t know what that is.

And here’s the beautiful part: that steadiness is contagious. Your team, your family, your friends, they feel it. When you model how to stay grounded in the storm, you give others permission to do the same.

The Leadership Opportunity in Uncertainty

Every period of uncertainty creates a leadership vacuum. Those who can remain steady, think clearly, and help others navigate complexity become invaluable. Your ability to stay centered in the face of the unknown doesn’t just serve you, it serves everyone around you.

The next time the headlines feel heavy, pause. Ask yourself: *What’s mine to control today? Do I have the energy to take in what isn’t? And how can I nourish myself instead?*

That’s the real work. And it’s the work that will keep you grounded, even when the world feels anything but.

Because while you can’t control the chaos, you can absolutely control how you meet it.

What practices help you stay grounded when uncertainty feels overwhelming? I’d love to hear from you, feel free to DM me on LinkedIn and share your strategies for navigating the unknown.

If this deeply resonates with you and you’d like to feel supported during your leadership journey, just click on Book a Call so we can chat about coaching.

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